Transplant and PUlmonary Hypertension

Living as a Transplant Recipient

As you transition back into your normal life, there are a few precautions that you will need to take to ensure long-term transplant success. Because you will be taking immunosuppressive drugs to prevent transplant rejection, you will be much more susceptible to infections that your body could normally fight off. Therefore, many of these precautions center on avoiding infections. While it may take a while to get used to these new precautions, transplant recipients overwhelmingly report an improved quality of life. If you follow the tips below and make sure you get plenty of sleep, exercise, good nutrition and relaxation time, you will greatly increase your chances at long-term success.

You may wear fingernail polish, but do not wear false nails or tips, as they increase your risk of fungal infection.

Consult your transplant physician before you have any dental or surgical procedures done, because you may need additional medications beforehand.

You and all of your family members should get a flu shot as soon as they are available each year.

Cancer Prevention

Immunosuppressive medications may also increase your risk for developing cancer. For this reason, you should always wear SPF 45 or higher when going outside. Women should do monthly breast self-examinations and have regular Pap smears and mammograms.

Nutrition

Good nutrition is a very important aspect of caring for yourself after your transplant. Some of the medications that you are taking can cause an increase in your appetite, high blood sugar and fluid retention. It will be important that you eat a healthful diet to curb the potential harmful effects of these medications.

Reduce the overall amount of saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet.

Reduce your intake of concentrated sweets and sugars.

Reach and maintain your ideal body weight.

Limit alcohol intake to one drink and only on special occasions.

Avoid raw seafood and rare meats. *to prevent infection

Avoid fresh salads at restaurants. *to prevent infection

Sexual Activity

Consult your physician before resuming sexual activity. You will need to be careful to minimize weight or strain put on your incision.

Additionally, the following precautions should be taken:

Condom use, even in monogamous relationships. Because you are immunosuppressed, something as simple as a woman's common yeast infection could cause a serious infection in a male transplant patient.

Birth control. Pregnancy could be dangerous for a female lung transplant patient. Therefore, condom use and, if you choose, supplemental birth control will be important if you choose to engage in sexual activity.

Medical Condition Alert Bracelet

Though you may have had a Medical Alert Bracelet for PH, it is strongly recommended that you get a new bracelet to indicate that you are a lung recipient.

The following information should be included:

Your name

Lung transplant recipient

Immunosuppressed

Phone number of transplant center/transplant physician

When To Contact Your Transplant Coordinator

You should feel comfortable contacting your transplant coordinator about any questions or concerns you may have. However, if you ever experience any of the following symptoms, notify your transplant coordinator immediately:

Temperature greater than 100 F

Productive cough

Shortness of breath

Sores, blisters or lumps

Chills

Flu-like symptoms

Drainage or swelling from a cut or wound

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours

Increase in fatigue

Burning on urination

Decrease in FEV1 and/or FVC by 10% in a 24-hour period, or a downward trend in FEV1/FVC results over three days or more

Weight gain of more than three pounds in a 24-hour period.

Language Based on Treatment Fact Sheet Issued by PHA's Scientific Leadership Council

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The information provided on the PHA website is provided for general information only. It is not intended as legal, medical or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with qualified professionals who are familiar with your individual needs. PHA does not endorse or recommend any commercial products or services.